How Marijuana Is Sent Through the U.S. Mail

How Marijuana Is Sent Through the U.S. Mail

More marijuana is now being shipped through the U.S. Mail than in recent years, according to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, whose seizures of marijuana parcels have increased by more than 400 percent since 2007. Traffickers use everyday objects to conceal the drugs. Here, marijuana is packaged inside "Teasdale" cans of corn. The amount of marijuana matched the weight on the label, and the traffickers used a can sealer.

Courtesy U.S. Postal Inspection Service

How Marijuana Is Sent Through the U.S. Mail

More marijuana is now being shipped through the U.S. Mail than in recent years, according to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, whose seizures of marijuana parcels have increased by more than 400 percent since 2007. Traffickers use everyday objects to conceal the drugs. Here, marijuana is packaged inside "Teasdale" cans of corn. The amount of marijuana matched the weight on the label, and the traffickers used a can sealer.

Courtesy U.S. Postal Inspection Service

How Marijuana Is Sent Through the U.S. Mail

After obtaining a federal search warrant to examine a suspicious package, inspectors found a Home Depot paint bucket wrapped in plastic. But instead of paint, the five gallon bucket was packed with marijuana.

Courtesy U.S. Postal Inspection Service

How Marijuana Is Sent Through the U.S. Mail

Inspectors found eight of these paint buckets. Each contained twelve lbs. of marijuana.

Courtesy U.S. Postal Inspection Service

How Marijuana Is Sent Through the U.S. Mail

A jukebox used to conceal marijuana is seized by inspectors in San Diego. The jukebox looked authentic, but inspectors found 10 lbs. of marijuana inside, which had an estimated street value of $350,000.

Courtesy U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration

How Marijuana Is Sent Through the U.S. Mail

Four bags of marijuana are placed inside a Black and Decker tool in hopes of sneaking it through the U.S. Mail.

Courtesy U.S. Postal Inspection Service

How Marijuana Is Sent Through the U.S. Mail

When a large box arrived at a woman's home in rural South Dakota, she thought her new television had arrived. Instead, she discovered three large bricks of marijuana and called the authorities. Walworth Co. Sheriff Duane Mohr [left] and chief deputy Tom Jeans [right] believe a Mexican drug cartel sent the package to the wrong address. In all, the marijuana weighed approximately 50 lbs. and had an estimated street value of $100,000.

Courtesy Walworth County, S.D. Sheriff's Office

How Marijuana Is Sent Through the U.S. Mail

The pungent smell of marijuana is often what gives the packages away, so drug traffickers attempt to conceal the odor. This brick was blanketed with plastic wrap and shipped in heat sealed bags to try and disguise its smell.

Courtesy U.S. Postal Inspection Service

How Marijuana Is Sent Through the U.S. Mail

This is a type of mediocre grade, bulk marijuana and valued at up to $1,500 a pound. The actual street value depends upon demand, which differs in various geographic locations.

Courtesy U.S. Postal Inspection Service

How Marijuana Is Sent Through the U.S. Mail

An inspector makes her way through a marijuana growing operation in California.

Courtesy U.S. Postal Inspection Service

How Marijuana Is Sent Through the U.S. Mail

Inspectors Jason Chung and Hillary Smith disrupt a marijuana growing operation out of a home near San Francisco.